Rawtenstall Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Rawtenstall's crime profile in February 2026, with 57 incidents recorded—2.9 per 1,000 residents, 25% above the UK average. This stark outlier contrasts with the area's overall crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000, which is 4.7% higher than the UK's 6.4 per 1,000. The breakdown reveals a striking imbalance: violent crimes account for 42.5% of total incidents, compared to 27.5% for property crimes. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also exceed UK averages by 10% and 52% respectively, suggesting persistent community tensions. Seasonal context may partly explain patterns: February's winter conditions and pre-spring lull typically reduce outdoor activity, yet violent incidents remain elevated. The town's mix of urban and industrial characteristics—demonstrated by high burglary rates (100% above UK average) and low vehicle crime (71% below UK average)—reflects complex local dynamics. While shoplifting rates are 48% below the UK average, this may relate to limited retail footfall in non-tourist areas. The data underscores a need to address specific vulnerabilities in violent crime prevention without compromising existing strengths in property crime reduction.

February 2026 saw dramatic shifts in crime patterns, with shoplifting surging 500% (from 1 to 6 incidents) and possession of weapons tripling (from 1 to 3). These increases contrast sharply with declines in vehicle crime (-50%) and anti-social behaviour (-25.9%), which fell to 20 incidents. The violent crime category experienced a 13.6% reduction, dropping from 66 to 57, but remains 25% above the UK average. Burglary rates in Rawtenstall are 100% higher than the UK average, despite a 1.5% overall rate decrease from January. Residents may find the 48% below-average shoplifting rate (0.3 per 1,000) particularly relevant, suggesting effective local retail security measures. The stark contrast between rising weapon possession (186% above UK average) and falling vehicle crime (71% below UK average) highlights uneven enforcement or shifting criminal priorities. These trends warrant closer attention from local authorities, particularly given the 52% UK average gap in criminal damage and arson cases.

Rawtenstall's crime rate in February 2026 (6.7 per 1,000) represents a 1.5% decrease from January's 6.8 per 1,000, indicating relative stability. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 5 crimes per day—slightly below the UK's typically higher daily rates. Over the course of the month, 1 crime occurred for every 148 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for local households. With a population of 19,878, this translates to 134 crimes distributed across 19,878 individuals, or roughly 0.67% of the population affected. While the overall rate is marginally above the UK average, the disparity in specific categories is pronounced: violence and sexual offences (25% above UK) and criminal damage (52% above UK) suggest targeted interventions may be needed. Conversely, the 48% below-average shoplifting rate indicates successful local strategies in retail crime prevention. These comparative figures provide residents with a nuanced understanding of how Rawtenstall's crime profile differs from national trends, particularly in violent and property crime categories.